Dispensing container



June 17, 1930. G. M. SACERDOTE DISPENSING CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet lFiled July 14, 1928 G. M. SACERDQTE DISPENSING CONTAINER June '17, 1930.

I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1928 avwamtoz June 17, 1930. s c oT1,764,352

DISPENS ING CONTAINER Filed July 14, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet '3 25 Z Z2 Z1 925 avwemtoz 25 improved arrangement Patented June 17," 1930 UNITEDSTATES e'umo m. sacnnno'rn, on NEW YORK, 1v. Y.

DISPENSING CONTAINER Application filed July 14, 1928. Serial No.292,652.

This invention relates to boxes and containers and more particularlyrefers to improvements in magazine containers for articles such aspills, tablets, cigarettes, pencils and so forth having a round orsubstantially round outline.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedtype of container for articles having a round or substantially roundoutline whereby one or more of said articles may be delivered through anopening provided therefor, positively preventing the possibility ofclogging or wedg ing of the articles within the container.

Another object is to provide in a dispensing container for round orsubstantially round articles a novel and improved arrangement fordistributin the articles within said container insuring 'ree delivery ofsaid articles at all times, together with means for automaticallyisolating and dispensing one of said articles each time the container isbrought to a predetermined position. I

A further object is to provide a novel and spiral chamber for dispensingcontainers more particularly adapted to hold articles having a round orsubstantially round outline, which is applicable in connection withdispensing containers of various types and descriptions, adapted tohandle a large variety of products.

A still further object is to provide a box or container .particularlyadapted for holding pills, tablets and the like, provided with a spiralchamber in which the pills or tablets may be serially arranged and fromwhich they may be delivered in proper sequence through an openingprovided therefor without requiring the necessity of opening the box orcontainer.

Other objects and advantages of the prescut invention will more fullyappear as the description proceeds and will set forth and claimed in theappended claims. Various embodiments of my invention are illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which: I Fig. is a plan view of a box orcontainer for p1lls and similar articles, embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front View in elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the same through line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front sectional 55 view in elevationof thedischarging portion of the box;

' Fig 6 is a view in perspective of a similar container adapted forautomatic delivery of one pill each time the container is rotated aboutits shaft; A

Fig. 7 is a front sectional view of the same showing the container aboutto reach its disch% rging position; V

ig. 8 is a plan sectional view thereof showmg the container in the actof discharging one pill; and y i ig. 9 is a view in perspective partlysectioned of a cigarette dispensing container also embodying myinvention.

F igs.. 1 to 5 illustrate a container which, may be produced byinexpensive methods and by the employment of relatively inexpensivematerials, particularly adapted for packing pills and similar articlesin a form permitting of discharging one or more pills from the containerwithout opening the same; thus preserving the sanitary conditions of thepackage, at the same time insuring free and controllable delivery of thenumber of pills or tablets required and preventing spilling of thecontents of the'b'ox.

- Referring to said drawings, 10 designates a relatively shallow,preferably round box comprising a rim portion 11 and two'sides 12, 13connected thereto. The width or depth of the box is determined by thediameter or thickness of the articles to be enclosed-there in, saidwidth or depth being designed to leave a-li ttle clearance when thepills or tablets are enclosed in the box.

The s ace within the box is formed into a spiral clihnnel 14 by a thinband of material 15 spirally arranged within the same; the distancebetween adjoining coils of the spiral just formed, or in other words thewidth of the spiral chamber being a trifle larger than the diameter ofthe pills or tablets, permittin free travel of the same therethrou h.

n the-arrangement shown the spira band rotated in a clockwise directionas arrows 19 in Fig. 1 indicate, the pills tend to travel through thespiral chamber in a counter clock- .wise direction, and will issue oneby one from said chamber if wall or rim 11 is open at the outer end ofthe spiral as shown at 20.

Opening 20is normally closed by a shutter 21 which is pivotally mountedat 22 within the box so as to be tiltable in an outward direction. Saidshutter is formed with an arm 23 projecting beyond pivot 22, and aspring 24 hearing against said arm 23 constantly urges said shutter toopen to the position 21 shown in dotted lines. I

However shutter 21 is normally held in its closed position by a door 25,abutting against the outer surface of rim or wall 11 and adapted toslide along the same. A suitable .construction to this end may beobtained by pro viding rim or wall 11 with a segmental slot 26 throughwhich may project pins or studs 27 extending from the surface of door25.

The rear end of the door is formed with an outwardly projecting lug 28by means of which the door may be moved in one or the other direction.In its normal position shown in Fig. 3 the door entirely concealsopening '20, forcing shutter 21 to-obstruct the same against the actionof spring 24; When the door is moved away from said position, in acounterclockwise direction with reference to Fig. 2, shutter 21 isgradually allowed to swing outwardly to the position shown in dottedlines at 21, opening a passage for a pill 18' which can thus bedischarged from the box.

As long as the door is retained in its open position, all the pills ortablets contained in the downwardly directed tract of the spiral I,chamber leading to opening 20 will be discharged one by one through saidopening, thelr rate of discharge being regulated by the extent to whichshutter 21 has been allowed to project outwardly more or less openingor. strangling the passage as will be understood; so that when thedesired number of pills or tablets has been discharged the flow of thesame can be promptly stopped merely by :hghtly moving door inits closingdirec-' lOIl.

The path of the pills or tablets being discharged f rom the spiralchamber is delimited by a partition 29 forming a stop for the spiralchamber preventing the pills or tablets contamed therein to travelbeyond opening 20 in a circumferential direction.

The type of container described is operated by rotating it between twofingers in the direction pointed out by the arrows 19, stopping it withthe arrow 30 in correspondence of opening 20 pointing downwardly, whensliding door 25 to its open position. A mode of operation which issomewhat easier to undertwo parallel sides 33, 34, the box thus formedbeing rotatably mounted at its central point ,35 on a yoke or support36.

As shown in Fig. 6 said yoke or support provides a means of holding thedevice between the finger of one hand with the palm of the handdirectlynnderneath' the lower end of the yoke or support, so that thebox or container may be easily rotated about a shaft in the directionpointed out by arrows 37. I

The device illustrated is designed for automatic discharge of one pillor tablet each time the box is rotated one revolution. Like in theprevious case the inside of the box is formed into a spiral chamber 38.by a spiral band 39 starting at a circumferential point 40 and runninginwardly along a spiral course leadingto central shaft 35. Near theouter end of the spiral band the rim or wall 32 is provided with anopening 41 large enough to permit one pill or tablet to pass through.

In correspondence of said opening the ex treme outer tract of the spiralchamber is; obstructed by an ejector 42 which consistsv of a crank leverstructure pivotally mounted at 43 where its radially directed member 44meets the inner wall 45 of said outer tract. Said crank lever structurealso comprises an arm 46 extending from its pivotal point of attachmentalong said inner wall in the direction of the rotation of the box thatis, in the case illustrated, in a clockwise direction.

Radial member or arm 44 is bent rearwardly to form a segmental tract 47and is then bent outwardly in a substantially radial direction to form alug 48 projecting beyond the outer surface of rim or wall 32.

The frame or yoke 36 has a substantially rectangular section embracingthe box, said structure being composed of'two side members 49 joined bytwo transversal bridge members 50, 51. The lower bridge member 51 hasone of its edges bent inwardly in a substantially radial direction toform a lug 52 projecting in the path of lug 48.

By virtue of this construction it isapparent that when the box isrotated in a clockwise direction as opening 41 passes across lug 52,lug48 will come to meet lug 52'; and as the rotation'of the box continueslug 48 will be held stationary compelling the crank lever member ofwhich it "is a part to move angularly about its pivot 43 in acounterclockwise direction, until the outer edge of lug 48 will "clearthe inner edge 'of lug 52 and the crank lever member will be free tosnap back into its normal position by the action of a clears opening 41towards the rear until the outlet thus provided'for the end pill ortablet is sufficient to allow the discharge of said pill or tabletthrough said outlet. At the same time arm 46 which also moves angularlyabout pivot 43 together with arm or member 44, will act as an ejectorforcing the pill or tablet outwardly through opening 41, as Fig. 8clearly shows,

It is obvious therefore that each time the box completes one revolutiona pill or tablet is automatically discharged therefrom falling into thepalm 55, directly underneath, of the hand holding. the frame or yoke 36.

My invention may also be applied in connection with articles such ascigarettes, pencils and so forth, having an elongated shape and acircularor. substantiallycircular section. By way of example in Fig. 9 Iillustrate a cylindrical cigarette container 60.

closed at the two ends by two disks or flanges 61, 62 and formed into alongitudinal spiral chamber 63 by a web or band 64. Like in thepreviouscase the wall of the container is provided with an opening in the formof a longitudinal slot 65 at a point in proximity of the outer end ofthe spiral band or web 64.

In correspondence of said point a crank member 66 isprovided, pivoted ona shaft 67 extending longitudinally of the container, said crank memberbeing formed with a radially extending lug 68 and with an'ejecting arm69.

The container is rotatably mounted on a supporting frame having twouprights 70, one at each end, and is operated by means-of a knob 71rotated on the containers shaft as will be understood.

Like in the previous case each time the container completes onerevolution lug 58 strikes against a catch such as shownat 72 ejectingthe outermost cigarette 73 contained in the .spiral chamber or magazinein the manner previously explained. The supporting frame 1s preferablyprovided with an apron member 74 extending between the two uprights 70.receiving the cigarette thus discharged and retaining it untilit isremoved by the user.

It will be understood that a device embodying my invention may either bemade of the refillable or non-refillable type as may be desired. Forinstance in the case of boxes intended for use in connection withmedicinal specialties it may be preferable in many cases to close thebox entirely except for the small outlet provided for the pills ortablets co ntained therein,.while in the case of a cigarette dispensingdevice or the like it may be preferable 'to make one of the ends of thecontainer detachable so as to expose the spiral chamber and permit therefilling thereof.

It will also be understood that while for the sake of simplicity I makeuse of gravity for discharging the articles from the container, it iswithin the scope of this invention to provide means for graduallyforcing the articles along the spiral chamber towards the outletprovidedtherefor if desired; such an arrangement being especiallysuitable when the articles contained in the spiral chamber have anangular outline preventing their rolling out of their own account. Inthis case the outlet neednot necessarily be at thev periphery of thecontainer but may be provided at or near the center thereof, if deslred,

in which case the articles will be made to travel in an inwardly insteadof in an outward direction through the spiral chamber.

The inventive idea lends itself to numerous applications each callingfor some specific structure which may differ in its constructionaldetails from those shown without departing from the scope of theinvention. The drawings will therefore be understood. as being intendedfor illustrative purposes only and not in a limitingsense. a

I accordingly reserve myself the right to carry my invention intopractice in all those ways and manners which may enter, fairly, into thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container of the class described com; prisingtwo substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said end of said chamber, the width of saidcham ber substantially corresponding ,to the transverse dimension. ofsaid artidlesfand the distance between said two side wallssubstantiallycorresponding to the dimension of said articles in a direction at rightangle to said transversal dimension.

2. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a' peripheral -wall extending therebetween. apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a tubularchamber adapted to retain in serialarrangement articles to be dischargedfromsaid container, an outlet through one of the walls of saidcontainer, registering with the discharging end of said chamber, thewidth of said chamber substantially corresponding to the transversaldimension ofsaid articles, and the dis-' tance between said two sidewalls substantial- 1y corresponding to the dimension of said articles Ina direction at rightangle said isn transversal dimension, and meanscontrolling said outlet.

3. A container of the class-described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the discharging end of said chamber,the width of said chamber substantially corresponding to the transversaldimension of said articles, and the distance between said two side wallssubstantially corresponding to the dimension of said articles in adirection at right angle to said t'ransversal dimension, and a springactuated member controlling said outlet.

4. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebe tween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a Spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, and an outlet through one of the wallsof said container, registering with the discharging end of said chamber,the width of said chamber substantially corresponding to the transversaldimension of said articles, and the distance between said two side wallssubstantially corresponding to the dimension of said articles in adirection at right angle to said transversal dimension.

5. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, thewidth of said chamber substantially corresponding to the transversaLdimensionof said articles, and the distance between said two side wallssubstantially corresponding to the dimension of said articles in adirection at right angle to said transversal dimension, and meanscontrolling said outlet.

6. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, thewidth of said chamber substantially corresponding to the transversaldimension of said articles, and the distance between said two side wallssubstantially corresponding to the dimension of said articles in adirection at right angle to said transversal dimension, and a springactuated member controlling said outlet.

7. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a Spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, asupporting frame, and means for rotatably mounting said container uponsaid frame, on an axis running transversely of said side walls.

8. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel sidewalls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a Spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, asupporting frame,

means for rotatably mounting said container upon sald frame, on an axlsrunning transversely of said slde walls, a member controlling saidoutlet, and means inte al with container, an outlet through one of thewalls of said container, registering with the .outer end of saidchamber, a supporting frame, means for rotatably mounting said containerupon said frame, on an axis running transversely of said side walls, aspring actuated member normally closing said outlet, and means integralwith said frame, forcing said member open against the action of itsspring, when said container reaches a predetermined position while it isbeing rotated in the discharging direction in relation-to said frame.

10. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a Spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said con tainer, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, asupporting frame, means for rotatably mounting said container upon saidframe, on an axis running transversely of said side walls, a pivotallymounted spring actuated member normally closing said outlet, and a catchintegral with said frame, forcing said member open against the actionofits spring, when said container reaches a predetermined position whileit is being rotated in the discharging direction in relation to saidframe.

11. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel-side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the discharging end of said chamber,the width of said chamber substantially correspondin to the transversaldimension of said articles, and the v distance between said two sidewalls substantially corresponding to the dimension of said articles in adirection at right angle to said ,transversal dimension, and a membercontrolling said outlet, said member comprising means for ejectingthrough said outlet, one of the articles within said chamber when saidmember is moved in a predetermined direction.

12. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and .a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container,an outlet through one of the wallsofsai'd container,

5 through said outlet one of the articles within registering with thedischarging end of said chamber, the width of said chamber substantiallycorresponding to the transversal dimension of said articles, and thedistance between said two side walls substantially corresponding to thedimension of said articles in a direction at r' ht angle to said,transversal dimension an a spring actuated member normally obstructingsaid outlet, said member comprising means for ejecting said chamber,when said member is moved to its discharging position against the actionof its spring.

13. A container of the class described com-' a prising two substantiallyparallelside walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles tdbedischargedfrom said container,

an outlet through one of the 'walls of said container, registering withthe outer end of said chamber, a supportingframe, means for rotatably'mounting ,said container upon said frame, onan axis runningtransversely of said side walls, an ejector controlling said outlet, andmeans integral with said frame, op-

erating said ejector when-said container reaches a predeterminedposition while it is being rotated in the discharging direction inrelation to said frame.

14. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming aspiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, ,asupporting frame, means for rotatably mounting said container upon saidframe, on an axis running transversely of said side walls, a springactuated ejector normally obstructin said outlet, and means in- ;tegralwith said rame, operating said ejector against the action of its spring,todischarge through said outlet one of the articles contained withinsaid chamber when said container reaches a predetermined position whileit is being rotated in the discharging direction in relation to saidframe.

15. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side walls and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, asupporting frame, means for rotatably mounting said container upon saidframe, on an axis running transversely of said side walls, a pivotallymounted spring actuated ejector normally obstructing said outlet, and acatch integral with said frame,

operating said ejector against theaction of its spring, to dischargethrough said outlet one of the articles containe within said chamberwhen said container reaches a predetermined osition while it is beingrotated in the discharging direction'in relation to said frame.

16. A container of the class described com-.

prising two substantially parallel side walls and a peripheral wallextending therebetween, a partition extending between said two sidewalls, forming a s'pi-rotubular chamber adapted to retain in serialarrangement articles to be discharged from said container, an outletthrough one of the walls of said container,-registering with the outerend of said chamber, a supportlng frame, meansfor rotatably mountingsaid contalner upon said frame, on a horizontal axis runningtransversely of said side walls, and means for gravitationallydischarging the outermost article within said chamber, when saidcontainer reaches a predetermined position while it is being rotated inthe discharging direction in relation to said frame. I Y

17. A container of the class described comprising two substantiallyparallel side Walls and a peripheral Wall extending therebetween, apartition extending between said two side walls, forming a Spiro-tubularchamber adapted to retain in serial arrangement articles to bedischarged from said container, an outlet through one of the walls ofsaid container, registering with the outer end of said chamber, asupporting frame, means for rotatably mounting said container upon saidframe, on a horizontal axis running transversely of said side walls, apivotally mount-' ed spring actuated ejector normally obstructing saidoutlet, and a catch integral with said frame, operating said ejectoragainst the action of its spring, to discharge through said outlet oneof the articles contained within said chamber when said containerreaches a predetermined position while it isbeing fotated in thedischarging direction in relation to said frame. I

GUIDO M. SACERDOTE.

